Heating and ventilating enclosure module connection means

ABSTRACT

An enclosure comprises a plurality of modules which are to be connected in end-toward-end relationship, and each module includes one or more panels having opposed ends or edges which are to be joined in an architecturally pleasing manner. A connector strip is bent to the contour of the panels to overlie the adjacent edges of the module, panels, and has a rearwardly open recess in which several clips are mounted to connect to the module panels. Each clip has a base portion slidably received in the recess, and a projecting leg for resiliently engaging the rear surface of the panel. The clips are arranged to project in opposite lateral directions to hold the adjacent panels, and hence the adjacent enclosure modules in place.

United States Patent 11 1 Sand 1451 Jan, 7, 1975 [5 HEATING AND VENTILATING 3,415,543 [2/1968 Keating....; 52/758 D ENCLOSURE MODULE CONNECTION 3,630,549 I l 2/l97l Grimm 285/424 X MEANS P' E w HSh d nmary xammererner c roe er [75] Inventor! Robert Sand, a Attorney, Agent, or Firm McCormick, Paulding & {73] Assignee: The Vulcan Radiator Company, Huber Q Hartford, Conn. [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: A 4 1973 An enclosure comprises a plurality of modules which [2]] Appl. No.: 347,635 are to be connected in end-toward'end' relationship, and each module includes one or more panels having [52] U S Cl 1 f 403/300 52/468 52/716 opposed ends or edges which are to be joined in an ar- [511 Fl6b 5/06 chitecturally pleasing manner. A connector strip is [58] Fie'ld 52/468 .bent to .the contour of the panels to overlie the adja- E 52;?- cent edges of the module, panels, and has a rearwardly open recess in which several'clipsare mounted to con- [56] References Cited nectvto the module panels. Each clip has a base portion slidably received in the recess, and a projecting UNITED STATES PATENTS leg for resiliently engaging the rear surface of the 949,839 2/19l0 Pearson 52/468 X panel, The lips are arranged to project in opposite 2,149,918 KOlTlOl'OUS J lateral directions to the adjacent panels and gig i;

2 33 3 hence the adjacent enclosure modules in place. 12/1966 La Barge 5 2/758 D 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 71975 sum 1 or 2 PAIzmw 3.858.995

sum 2M2 FIG. 3

HEATING AND VENTILATING ENCLOSURE MODULE CONNECTION MEANS BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relates to enclosure structures for use with heating and cooling units to provide an architecturally pleasing appearance in commercial or residential buildings, and deals more particularly with the means for connecting adjacent enclosure modules.

A general object of the present invention is to provide an improved means for joining two adjacent module panels, said means incorporating a relatively thin extruded metal connector strip and spring clips which when assembled with the strip present an attractive fin- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, an extruded metal connector strip is provided having a generally rectangular cross sectional shape and also having a recessor cavity in its rear side for the purpose of receiving and retaining a plurality of clips. Sheet metal spring clips have a base portion which fits snugly but movably within the cavity in the connector strip and each clip also has a leg portion which cooperates with the rear side of the connector strip to receive the panel. Burrs or projecting tabs on the legs of the clips serve to hold the panels in place and prevent inadvertent disas sembly of the structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the device with portions broken away showing the assembly of connector strip and several clips with two adjacent modules.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. I but showing an alternative module configuration.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the connector strip.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one of the clips.

and a top portion which includes a grill with vanes or the like to direct the heated or cooled air vertically. The front portions of the panels may be spaced above the floor F or have cut out portions (not shown) to permit circulation of room air. Conventional means, such as shown at 48 and 50, is provided to support the modules from the floor F and wall W respectively. The enclosure connection strip 25 covers the joint between the adjacent panels in a manner to be described, and is formed to fit the contour 46 of the panel as shown.

FIG. 2 shows a modified enclosure structure wherein the grill defining portion is canted with respect to the horizontal, and the panels are formed with three angularly related surfaces as shown at 54, 56, and 58. Other enclosure designs can be adapted for use with the enclosure connection means of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is presented to illustrate the fact that the strip 25a can be readily bent to conform to the exterior contour of the module panels. FIG. 3 shows the strip 25 as a relatively thin extruded member of constant cross sectional shape throughout its length, and having a rearwardly open recess 22 with thickened edge portions 20, 20. As so constructed this strip 25 can be readily bent to conform to the exterior contour of a wide variety of enclosure configurations.

Turning now to a more detailed description of the connection means of the present invention, FIGS. 4 and 5 show a one-piece spring clip 10 of sheet metal construction which clip has been stamped and bent to a shape which may be inserted in a recess or cavity 22 in the rear wall of the connector strip 25 as shown in FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the clips shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Turning now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 shows a portion of a heating and ventilating enclosure comprising two adjacent modules 40 and 400, each of which modules include a one-piece panel 42 and 420 respectively, which panels have adjacent edges 44 and I FIG. 1. The clip includes a flat base portion 12 of rectangular shape which defines laterally opposed flanged portions 14 and 15. An L-shaped portion 16 of the clip integrally connects one marginal side edge of the base portion with a resilient leg portion 17. This leg portion cooperates with a rear wall 24 of the connector strip 25 to form a socket 30 for receiving one enclosure panel 40. A tab 18 adjacent'to the bent free end of the clip leg deforms the rear surface of the panel 40 at least slightly when the panel is inserted between the clip leg and connector strip thus securing the panelin assembly with the strip. j

The connector strip 25 is preferably extruded of aluminum, and has a generally rectangular cross sectional shape. The rear wall 24 of this strip overlies the juncture of two adjacent enclosure panels while the front wall of the strip may be finished to provide an attractive appearance. A cavity 22 is formed in the rear wall 24 of the connector strip and extends the full length of the strip. The cavity 22 includes recessed inner portions 23, 23 to receive and retain theflanged portions 14 and 16 of the clip, while permitting the clip to slide within the slot along the length of the connector strip.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate examples of two typical enclosure modules having panels joined together to form continuous unity. In FIG. I the connector strip is formed to watch the shape of the panels to be joined, and a suitable number of clips 10,10 are inserted into the slot in the strip. These clips 10, 10 are distributed along the length of the strip 25, being alternately oriented in opposite directions. The panels are then inserted between the clips and the connector strip, each panel utilizing approximately half of the clips.

As may be apparent from FIG. 5 the shape of the enclosure panels may be complex requiring a numberof bends in the connector strip. In this case an appropriate number of clips may be inserted into the strip before bending thus trapping these clips in areas of the strip which would be inaccessible after bending.

I claim:

1. Enclosure module connection means for joining two adjacent module panels and comprising in combination:

a. a connector strip having a rear wall which overlies the marginal adjacent side edges of the panels, and said rear wall also having a rearwardly ope'n cavity extending longitudinally of said strip;

b. said rearwardly open longitudinally extending cavity having its inner longitudinally extending side edges laterally spaced from one another by a slightly greater distance than the spacing between its outer longitudinally extending sides edges;

c. a plurality of clips for use at longitudinally spaced locations along said strip to hold said strip to said panels, each of said clips having laterally opposed flanged portions to permit the clip to be slidably received in said longitudinally extending cavity,

d. each clip having a panel engaging leg spaced rearwardly from one of said flanged portions to resilthe bent free end portion of said clip leg to deform said panel slightly when the later is received in said socket and to secure said panel in assembled relationship with said clip and connector strip.

3. The joint means of claim 2 further characterized in that each of said clip means is fabricated from a length of spring steel including a flat base portion of rectangular shape which definessaid laterally opposed flanged portions, and an L-shaped portion of said clip means integrally connecting said panel engaging leg with one marginal side edge of said flat base portion. 

1. Enclosure module connection means for joining two adjacent module panels and comprising in combination: a. a connector strip having a rear wall which overlies the marginal adjacent side edges of the panels, and said rear wall also having a rearwardly open cavity extending longitudinally of said strip; b. said rearwardly open longitudinally extending cavity having its inner longitudinally extending side edges laterally spaced from one another by a slightly greater distance than the spacing between its outer longitudinally extending sides edges; c. a plurality of clips for use at longitudinally spaced locations along said strip to hold said strip to said panels, each of said clips having laterally opposed flanged portions to permit the clip to be slidably received in said longitudinally extending cavity, d. each clip having a panel engaging leg spaced rearwardly from one of said flanged portions to resiliently engage the rear of the panel and thereby secure the panel to the connector strip, e. some of said clips having their panel engaging legs oriented in one direction to engage one panel and other clips oppositely oriented to engage the other of said two panels.
 2. The joint means of claim 1 further characterized by said panel engaging leg including a rearwardly bent free end portion which cooperates with the rear wall of said connector strip to define a socket for receiving one of said two panels and a panel engaging tab adjacent the bent free end portion of said clip leg to deform said panel slightly when the later is received in said socket and to secure said panel in assembled relationship with said clip and connector strip.
 3. The joint means of claim 2 further characterized in that each of said clip means is fabricated from a length of spring steel including a flat base portion of rectangular shape which defines said laterally opposed flanged portions, and an L-shaped portion of said clip means integrally connecting said panel engaging leg with one marginal side edge of said flat base portion. 